If you have more time, you wont get bored spending more time in this beautiful area! You can also choose an alternate leader. While some people spend up to five days on the trail, we think 2-3 days in the Enchantments is the sweet spot a long weekend escape thats easy to plan and pack for. You can either try to get a walk up permit (covered above) or day hike it (covered below). You may also be able to snag a spot later in the evening when day hikers are leaving. Backpacking The Enchantments The Enchantments is a region in Washington state with a group of pristine alpine lakes that can only be accessed by foot. Mountain goats are the most prevalent wildlife youll encounter. After you get notified that you won the Enchantments lottery, youll want to figure out your route and how many days you want. Day and overnight visitors need to check the weather and be prepared for all weather types throughout the season. At one end, the hike begins at the Stuart Lake Trailhead. Four of us applied together and each put the same dates, zones, etc. . a little bit of snow on the trail even in early September The challenging 20-mile trail requires advanced planning, so weve broken it down in a comprehensive hiking guide. But the wait, stress, and uncertainty of getting to access this area is worth it!Note: Dogs are not allowed in the Enchantments. With over 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a single mile in distance, the climb challenges both stamina and determination. A permit for the Core Enchantment zone allows overnight stays within any of the zones, making it the best choice for a hike through the Enchantments. September 8, 2016. Youre all packed and now its time to start the hike! One thing thats good to know is that we saw a lot of different mileage reports for this hike. If you choose to climb up Aasgard Pass, as recommended in this guide, you will be carrying a full overnight pack with the food up 2,000 feet of elevation gain in less than a mile. My dad. Core Enchantments:From Colchuck Lake to the top of Aasgard Pass:2.5 miles (one way)2,500 ft elevation gain, From the inlet of Upper Snow Lake to Lake Viviane:1.5 miles (one way)1,400 ft elevation gain. In the winter, the Enchantments is buried in deep snowpack and is inaccessible to anyone without serious mountaineering experience. $18.00 Tags: Day Hiking Share this Page: I started out building the ability to walk 5-7 miles without flagging, then practiced climbing up steep hills. As you proceed down the trail, the next and final lake of the Enchantments is Lake Viviane. However, weve seen young children complete it, so it could make a great family excursion! Stuart: The Stuart zone is named after Lake Stuart, which is a 9 mile round trip hike. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! The 18-mile trail through the Enchantment Lakes, up to the high alpine at almost 8,000 feet above sea level, is perhaps the state's most infamous and beloved route. You may be able to find a ride back to the Stuart Lake trailhead from someone else completing their hike, but for overnight trips, most people leave a car at both trailheads. Nearly devoid of vegetation, the landscape has been molded by ancient glacial activity, with countless sparkling blue lakes dotting the dramatic rock formations. Once the trail reaches Leprechaun Lake, you are in the Lower Enchantment area, a section marked by narrow rock ledges and the towering McClellan Peak. We hope to inform, inspire, and empower you to get outside and see this world, while doing your part to respect and protect the lands beneath your feet. In October, unpredictable snowstorms start to roll into the higher elevations, making the trail dangerous. The Enchantments are not named as such for naught - they have some of the most spectacular alpine scenery in the country. Even if you dont see other hikers, there are probably other people who can hear your music. I booked this time as I wanted the beautiful golden larches. I've read trip reports at nwhiker.net and portlandhikers.org for the off season that inspired my warning : ) Also just the cascades in general in June. And after you eat dinner, make sure to go grab some ice cream from Whistlepunk! The increasingly jaw-dropping views are the only distraction from the heart-pumping exertion. Check out our 37 favorite hikes in Washington! To visit the Enchantments, you can either thru-hike the entire distance as one long day hike, or you can backpack and complete the hike over the course of multiple days and nights. But dont worry, if you dont get one, a day hike is still super worth it! The trail steadily climbs through dense forest, with increasingly picturesque views of the valley below. The challenging trail is brimming with dramatic stunning scenery, as glacial activity has left the mountains here jagged and steep, and deposited several picturesque alpine lakes. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. Located in Central Washington near the small town of Leavenworth, this piece of the Cascade Mountain range is as spectacular as the name implies. No clue if this is beneficial but it does feel like it's getting easier. Theyre especially perfect for people spending just one night on the trail, since youll conquer most of the elevation on the first day and have nothing but downhill miles the second. Although some things may biodegrade over a long period of time, they do not belong in the alpine, they are unsightly and spoil the view of your fellow hikers, and they are unhealthy for animals who will eat them. This is another hike that is a doable day trip, but if youd like to stay overnight, youll need to enter the Enchantments lottery for a permit. In late spring to early summer, the Enchantments core basin is still snow-covered. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. I think it was definitely one of the best spots out in the Snow Lakes area! To help plan your trip, here are the approximate locations of some of the most common campsites along the trail. The final group of campsites is at Snow Lake and Nada Lake, after quite a bit of descent and just a few miles from the Snow Lakes Trailhead. Some particularly adventurous skiers and snowshoers attempt the trail during the winter, but thats only advised for very experienced winter sports enthusiasts. Theres some moderate elevation gain through gorgeous old-growth forest and a flat section in a beautiful meadow, before finishing at a stunning lake backed by even more stunning mountains! Our friends had some and we were a taddddd jealous when their legs were nice and dry!If its warm out, bring a swimsuit so you can swim in one of the lakes! Prior experience will help prepare you for the Enchantments hike and make it more fun! The. But the best partshe got six permits, which meant that Yvonne, Jeffrey, Adam, and myself could all go with her and her boyfriend Jackson! September 30, 2022. The Enchantments Thru-Hike point-to-point Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Hiked on 10/9/2021 Start: Stuart Lake Trailhead Destination: Snow Lakes Trailhead View Hike Track View Gallery Distance: 18.12 mi. Perfect for swimming and relaxing, the lake is accessed via a steady climb, mostly through shady forest. How late can you hike the Enchantments? This day-hike only shares a couple of miles of the Enchantments Trail, bypassing most of the crowds for solitude in a stunning valley. Since youll be at a higher elevation, the nights may get cool. The main reason to day-hike the Enchantments is that doing so means you dont need a hard-to-get camping permit. Bonus: during the tail end of the month and into October, the foliage turns to a beautiful vibrant yellow-orange! In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. You are likely to encounter snow in the Enchantments area between mid-October through mid-July, and during this time period you will want to pack microspikes for travelling on potentially slippery snow, especially when traveling on the steeper sections of the trail. In 2018 (still waiting on 2019 numbers), 17,586 people applied for 708 Core permitsgiving them a 4% chance to snag one. We had to go about 3 mph in the van (not joking lol! The level of difficulty and sheer distance of the trail mean the best way to experience this area is via a multi-day hike. Here is a sample packing list for your trip, More Hiking: 21 Bucket List Hikes in Washington State, More North Cascades: 15 Best Hikes in North Cascades National Park, Waterfall Hikes: 11 Best Waterfalls in Washington State + Hikes to Find Them, Hiking Near Seattle: 11 Best Day Hikes Near Seattle. I'd say starting at the Snow Lakes trailhead, hiking down and out Aasgard Pass to the Colchuck trailhead, is easier than the other way around. May, June, September and October are considered "shoulder seasons" and visitors can expect to encounter snow and winter-like conditions. Rating. To do the car shuttle, you will need to first drop a car off at the Snow Lakes trailhead, then gather at the Stuart Lakes Trailhead to begin your hike. This makes travel more difficult and the views an endless sea of white (which is beautiful, just more difficult to hike). You will want to make sure you have cars at both trailheads (see The Trailheads section below). 19K views 1 year ago THE ENCHANTMENTS The Enchantments Hike is the most beautiful hike in all of Washington. HeadlampsHaving a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to hike for sunrise, or just have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Although the Enchantments hike can be done in two days, this hike is best done in at least three days, spending two nights camping within the permit zone. Its also important to note theres a lot to consider before hiking the Enchantments. With the added weight of a pack, some training or backpacking experience is highly recommended before attempting to hike the Enchantments. A hard-to-acquire permit is required to camp in any of the area's five zones, with the Enchantment Core permit being the most desirable. Read More. These campsites are located along the shoreline and provide excellent views of the brilliantly blue lake. These campsites provide excellent views of Little Annapurna, one of the tallest peaks along the trail, and an opportunity for a scrambling side-trip if you are feeling adventurous. Regardless, we decided to go for it considering the luck of the permits - so here is the recap of The Enchantments hike that we completed September 26-27, 2020. . Another good spot to check out is Yodelin. They have two parking lots in this area (the first one is for Eightmile and next one is for Stuart/Colchuck), as well as an overnight only parking area for those with overnight permits. will reward you with views of a lifetime. Here are some of these hiking courtesies that help improve everyones trip. We hope you snag a permit! Christie is Yvonnes friend, who I had met before, and happened to enter the lottery the day before it closed. How long does it take to hike the Enchantments trail? We managed to score a 5 day permit in the snow zone for Aug 30-Sept 3. See some of our recommended stops below! Day 4: Hike out through Snow Lake. This trail gains a modest amount of elevation, at 2300 feet, but this is just the beginning of the hike. There are usually more people present than permits, so they have to draw names, which occurs at 7:45 AM. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona No matter what route you take, how many days you have, or if you get a sunny day or a cloudy day, the Enchantments truly are a magical place and 100% worth the permit headaches to visit in whatever capacity you can. After entering the permit lottery in 2018 and failing to get permits, we didnt feel too confident going into the 2019 lottery. The total hiking time ranges from 8 hours for ultra-fast trail runners to about 15 for reasonably fit hikers going at a steady pace. However, since these are averages it is best to be prepared for a wide range of temperatures during your trip. The Enchantments are an absolutely amazing alpine wonderland located in central Washington state. En route, youll spot the craggy peaks of the Enchantments without a thigh-burning climb. It is one of our favorite Washington memories and we cannot wait to experience it again someday! This will give you time to cool off and avoid hiking in the heat of the day. 10 weeks to prepare. So on September 14, with fully loaded packs, we headed into the Enchantments! Although its rare for them to be aggressive, weve heard of instances where mother goats have attacked hikers trying to protect their kids. The trail in this area passes by stunning spots like aptly-named Lake Perfection and Lake Vivianne while continuously dropping in elevation towards Snow Lake. The weather can change quickly during your multi-day trip from the original forecast. On the AllTrails map, I believe it was around the 14.9 mile mark (close to the restroom) https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/washington/the-enchantments-trail?mobileMap=false&ref=sidebar-static-map&ref=sidebar-view-full-map. If you have two nights, spend some extra time exploring the side trails and lakes in this area. We have a leisurely morning, then set out on a meandering dayhike up through the snow into the Upper Core. Once winners are notified, theres actually a second step youre required to go back into Recreation.gov and claim and pay for your permit, plus provide your intended exit date. Prusik Peak over Lake Viviane. In February I put in the permit application for the enchantments as I heard everyone talking about it. Near the Bavarian town of Leavenworth (but hidden from sight), The Enchantments loom. Please dont bury TP; pack it in, pack it out. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) In this video, we provide a complete day hiking guide so you can complete the. Note: Winners are drawn at random, so it makes absolutely no difference when you apply, as long as its within the application period. Talk about timing! The most popular day hike in the Enchantments leads to a breathtaking blue glacial lake right underneath Aasgard Pass. The best strategy is to keep your distance as much as possible. We are big fans of Wild Zora backpacking meals, especially the beef ones, as they are super natural and healthy. However, obtaining wilderness permits has become increasingly competitive in recent years, which throws in another logistical obstacle. The elevation gain and loss are large, meaning that you will be working hard at most points during your hike. Heres a quick rundown of each one! With a daypack, the scrambling isnt too bad (I hate rock scrambling and didnt cry! I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. The trail through the Enchantments is 18 miles, one-way, with additional side trails to explore the surrounding lakes. The trail up Aasgard Pass looks a little unlike a trail at times, with the steep terrain and loose footing requiring hands-and-feet scrambling to reach the top. In fact, this stunning mountain landscape has been termed the "Crown Jewel of Washington Hiking" by the Washington Trails Association, the leading expert on hiking in Washington.And after doing the full thru-hike of the Enchantments ourselves, we couldn't agree more: it is absolutely incredible. Two shuttle companies, Loop Connector and Leavenworth Shuttles, will drive you from the Snow Lakes Trailhead, where you can drop off your car, to the beginning of the trail at Stuart/Colchuck Lake. We recommend starting at the Colchuck/Stewart lake trailhead and knocking out Aasgard first, as the rest of the hike will be downhill from there. Whenever you decide to continue on, be prepared for continuation of the rocky trail. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Day 1: Hike to Snow Lake and set up campDay 2: Explore the Core area all day and then head back your campsite at Snow LakeDay 3: Hike out through Snow Lake. Nestled in the Cascade Mountains, the Enchantments is full of alpine lakes, rocky peaks, larches, mountain goats, and incredible views. Its not scary, but you will need to go slow. My favorite waterfall's still in its winter coat. The descent from here is long and tedious, and the large decline in elevation challenges most hikers. Don't shower for 3 weeks leading up your hike as a human repellent. Ive done this as a thru hike, ending at snow lake TH, taking about 14hrs total. See some of our recommended stops below! I know prime time for the Enchantments is late September, when the larches are out and the lakes are all melted, but there's something sort of magic about the place under snow, too. They are now prohibiting parking along FS Road 7601 and they have a ranger with a sign telling you if parking is full before you get too far down the road. Once you reach Colchuck Lake, the trail proceeds around the edge of the lake, passing by the campsites until it crosses the boulder field on the other side of the lake and then begins the steep passage up Aasgard Pass. At risk of sounding entirely cliche, this place is absolutely enchanting. Its also nice to see how far you have to your next stop .
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